Wareham selectmen support sewer project at Swifts Beach

Thursday

Aug 21, 2014 at 12:01 AMAug 21, 2014 at 5:52 AM

WAREHAM — Acting as sewer commissioners, selectmen Tuesday took the first step toward a multi-million dollar overhaul of the town's aging sewer system by supporting a proposal to rectify problems in the Swifts Beach section of the community.

CHRISTOPHER G. SHOTT

WAREHAM — Acting as sewer commissioners, selectmen Tuesday took the first step toward a multi-million dollar overhaul of the town's aging sewer system by supporting a proposal to rectify problems in the Swifts Beach section of the community.

According to Director of Water Pollution Control Guy Campinha, mitigating existing problems at Swifts Beach will cost an estimated $18 million, which he said hopefully could be borrowed over 20 years.

Selectmen agreed to submit an article for the warrant of the Oct. 20 Town Meeting to proceed with Campinha's proposal.

In response to questioning from selectmen, Campinha projected additional upgrades in Onset and other parts of the town costing about $22 million more, although Chairman Alan Slavin later estimated the final expense at perhaps $10 million higher.

Campinha said a committee charged with devising a Capital Improvement Plan — a 20-year plan for financing major sewer projects — will meet for the first time this week, but may need up to a year to finalize its proposals.

"I think this is a project we should pursue," Campinha said of the Swifts Beach plan.

Campinha recommended a "one-time fix" for pipes installed approximately 40 years ago, which he said have damaged roadways in the neighborhood, creating sinkholes and generating other problems.

Campinha termed his plan for Swifts Beach a "mutual enterprise" since it will potentially involve other utilities — water, gas and electricity suppliers — contributing to defray the final cost. "If we're going to dig up the roads in that area, they may be interested in doing repair work of their own on their infrastructure," Campinha said.

Selectmen Peter Teitelbaum suggested delaying work at Swifts Beach until all financial proposals are completed and projected costs to sewer users can be determined. "People in this town will want to know what the impact will be on their sewer bills," he said.

Campinha countered that all studies and evaluations at Swifts Beach have been completed and the project is ready to proceed.

Slavin and Patrick Tropeano supported Campinha's recommendation. "We've been kicking the can down the road for years," Slavin said. "These things have to be done."

"This will save residents money in the long run if the plan is put into effect now," Tropeano said.